Shaker Heights

Schools 2nd Grade Reading List

Recommended by your Shaker Schools Librarians

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 2

Aardema, Verna Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain This rhyming, cumulative tale from Kenya has stylized paintings of African scenery and a rollicking “voice” relating what happens when the rains stay away. Picture Book

Adler, David A. Cam Jansen and the Tennis Trophy Mystery Cam Jansen, with Eric at her side, helps solve the mystery of what happened to Mr. Day's tennis trophy. (From the Cam Jansen series) Fiction

Adler, David How Tall, How Short, How Far Away Did you know that in ancient Egypt parts of the body were used as measuring tools? Fingers and arms are not all the same, so over time people made better guides for measurement. Read and find out about measurement of all sorts. Nonfiction

Alexie, Sherman Thunder Boy, Jr. Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name...one that's all his own. Dad is known as Big Thunder, but Little Thunder doesn't want to share a name. Picture Book

Andrews-Goebel, Nancy The Pot That Juan Built You’ll find yourself repeating the lines of this poem-biography about Juan Quezada, a noted Mexican potter. It is told in a lilting rhyme that mirrors “The House That Jack Built.” Biography

Asim, Jabari Preaching to the Chickens: the Story of a Young John Lewis Gives readers a...glimpse into the boyhood of Civil Rights leader John Lewis. John wants to be a preacher when he grows up--a leader whose words stir hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why wait? When John is put in charge of the family farm's flock of chickens, he discovers that they make a wonderful congregation! So he preaches to his flock, and they listen, content under his watchful care, riveted by the rhythm of his voice. Includes an author's note about John Lewis, who grew up to be a member of the Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and demonstrator on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and is now a Georgia congressman. Biography

Baer, Edith This is the Way We Eat Our Lunch The rhymes in this book describe what children around the world do at lunchtime. Picture Book

Barber, Tiki, and Ronde Barber By My Brother's Side Twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber worked hard to overcome obstacles and become National Football League stars. Biography

Barrow, Annie Ivy and Bean When Bean plays a mean trick on her sister, Ivy is on her side. Bean finds her new neighbor much less boring than she first suspected. They star in a whole series of books. Fiction

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 3

Beaty, Andrea Ada Twist, Scientist Ada Twist is a very curious girl who shows perseverance by asking questions and performing experiments to find things out and understand the world. Picture Book Beck, W.H. Glow: Animals With Their Own Night-lights Includes bibliographical references. Text and illustrations introduce animals that glow, exploring what makes them "light" up," their habitat and the adaptations they have made, how they communicate, and more. Nonfiction Bell, Cece Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover Rabbit is excited about the sleepover he has carefully planned for his friend Robot, but Robot has some different ideas about how things should go. (From the Rabbit and Robot series) Fiction Bridges, Shirin Yim Ruby’s Wish Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. She wants to go to school instead of getting married. Her family rewards her hard work. Fiction

Brosgol, Vera Leave Me Alone Grandmother wants so badly to be left alone to finish the knitting for her grandchildren that she leaves her tiny home and her big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting.

Brown, Jeff Flat Stanley : The Mount Rushmore Calamity Stanley, a boy flattened by a bulletin board, sets off for Mt. Rushmore, where he and his brother team up with cowgirl Calamity Jasper for an exciting adventure. (From the Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures series) Fiction Bryant, Jennifer Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille An inspiring picture-book biography of Louis Braille--a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet. Biography

Bryant, Jennifer A Splash of Red : The Life and Art of Horace Pippin As a child Horace Pippin loved to draw, but an injury in World War I challenged his career. Biography

Bunting, Eve The Cart that Carried Martin Tells the story of the faded wooden cart that was borrowed to carry the body of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the streets of Atlanta, Georgia, on the day of his funeral. Biography

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 4

Choi, Yangsook The Name Jar When Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, she decides to change her name. Her classmates put their suggestions in a glass jar to help her make a choice about her new name. Picture Book

Cleary, Beverly Ramona the Brave Ramona feels unloved but is coaxed into realizing her importance by her parents and sister. Fiction

Coles, Robert The Story of Ruby Bridges In 1960, Ruby Bridges was 6 years old. She was the first African-American student in her New Orleans neighborhood elementary school. Picture Book

Cooney, Barbara Eleanor Eleanor tells of the childhood of Eleanor Roosevelt, who was known for helping others. She became First Lady of the United States when her husband, Franklin, became President. Biography

Cousteau, Philippe Follow the Moon Home A book about loggerhead sea turtles, and a girl's attempts to help save their babies from man-made light. Nonfiction

Crespo, Ana The Sock Thief Brazilian boy Felipe doesn't have a soccer ball. When it's his turn to bring one to school, he uses a little bit of creativity and a few socks borrowed from his neighbors. Picture Book

Cronin, Dorren Chicken Squad: the First Misadventure Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy and Sugar, the chicks of the Chicken Squad, must figure out what Tail the squirrel is so afraid of. (From the Chicken Squad series) Fiction Daly, Niki Pretty Salma In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set in Ghana, a young girl fails to heed Granny's warning about the dangers of talking to strangers. Folk Tale DiCamillo, Kate Bink and Gollie Two roller-skating best friends--one tiny, one tall—share 3 comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu mountain trek and a marvelous companion. Fiction DiCamillo, Kate Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride Mr. Watson's usual Saturday drive in his Cadillac with his favorite pig, Mercy, turns into an adventure when an unexpected passenger shows up in the back seat and Mercy finds herself behind the wheel. Fiction

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 5

DiCamillo, Kate Where are you going Baby Lincoln? Baby Lincoln decides to leave her bossy, older sister Eugenia and go on a necessary journey. Fiction Ehlert, Lois Moon Rope: A Peruvian Folktale Enjoy Ehlert’s delightful illustrations in this adaptation of the Peruvian folk tale in which Fox and Mole try to climb to the moon on a rope woven of grass. Folk Tale

English, Karen Dog Days Gavin wants to make a good impression at Carver Elementary, where no one knows he excels at soccer and skateboarding, but an annoying big sister, a bully, and his great aunt's Pomeranian are not helping. (From the Carver Chronicles series) Fiction

English, Karen Nikki & Deja When an arrogant new girl comes to school, best friends Nikki and Deja decide to form a club that will exclude her. The results are not quite what they expect. Fiction Fleming, Candace Giant Squid In this beautiful and clever nonfiction picture book about the giant squid, Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann explore, both visually and poetically, this hidden creature's mysterious life. Nonfiction Fogliano, Julie When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons A book of poetry moving through the seasons. Poetry

Frazee, Marla A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever Friends James and Eamon enjoy a wonderful week at the home of Eamon's grandparents during summer vacation. Picture Book Gilpin, Caroline Abraham Lincoln In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy of our 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and his historic decision to abolish slavery. Readers will also learn why this decision impacted the United States, as well as the extent of Lincoln's impact as a fearless leader of the Civil War. Biography

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 6

Greene, Stephanie Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade Posey is afraid to start first grade. When her teacher invites students to wear their most comfortable clothes to school on the first day, she feels better. (From the Princess Posey series) Fiction Hale, Shannon Princess in Black While having hot cocoa with the Dutchess, Princess Magnolia must sneak away to fight monsters as her alter ego the Princess in Black.(From the Princess in Black series) Fiction Haley, Gail A Story, A Story: An African Tale Anansi, the spider man, must capture three creatures before he receives his prize. Folk Tale

Heide, Florence Parry The Day of Ahmed’s Secret What is Ahmed’s secret? Share his delight through the day in Cairo, as he waits to tell his family his news. Fiction

Henkes, Kevin Penny and Her Song Penny, a little mouse girl, has a song in her heart. As soon as she comes home from school she tries to share it with her family, but must wait until the time is right. Fiction

Hoberman, Mary Ann You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together These rhyming tales may sound familiar, and they’re written for two people to share the reading—and the fun! Poetry Hoffman, Mary Amazing Grace Although classmates say that she cannot play Peter Pan in their class play because she is a girl and is black, Grace discovers she can do anything she decides to do. Grace’s story continues in Boundless Grace. Picture Book

Hood, Susan Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay Tells the true tale of an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash called the 'Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Nonfiction Hughes, Langston I, Too, Am America Langston Hughes’ poem about the courage of the African-American Pullman train porters in the early 1900s + the talents of award-winning illustrator, Bryan Collier= a wonderful book. Poetry

Jackson, Richard In Plain Sight An ailing grandfather and his helpful granddaughter play a unique game of seek and find. Picture Book

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 7

Jenkins, Steve I See a Kookaburra! I See a Kookaburra! lets readers search for an oystercatcher, an elephant shrew, and a fierce snapping turtle in the places where they live. Learn how these animals and many others grow and thrive in very different environments. Nonfiction

Jian, Li Mulan: A Story in English and Chinese There was once an extraordinary girl who was as beautiful as she was brave. She knew how to read and write and sew. She loved to ride horses and shoot her bow and arrows. But it was the love for her family and her father that made her into a great soldier. Folk Tale

Keller, Laurie The Scrambled States of America Talent Show The states decide to get together and put on a show featuring their particular talents. Also included are facts about the history and geography of each state. Picture Book

Kirby, Stan Captain Awesome to the Rescue When second-grader Eugene and his family move to a new neighborhood and he starts at a new school, he has a chance to bring out his superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome, to find the kidnapped class hamster. (From the Captain Awesome series) Fiction

Krull, Kathleen Harvesting Hope : The Story of Cesar Chavez Cesar Chavez grew up as the son of poor migrant workers in the fields of California. Chavez organized and led migrant workers in peaceful protests that helped improve their working conditions. Biography

Kudlinski, Kathleen V. Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! Kudlinski examines what is now known about dinosaurs and discusses how the facts often differ from what was once believed to be true. Nonfiction

Levine, Ellen Henry’s Freedom Box This is a story, based on real events, of how, in 1849, Henry "Box" Brown, a Virginia slave, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from Richmond to Philadelphia. Picture Book

Lin, Grace Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different. (From the Ling & Ting series) Fiction

Lin, Grace Our Food: A Healthy Serving of Science and Poems Award-winning author Grace Lin joins science writer Ranida T. McKneally to get kids talking about the science of food, the five food groups, and what a healthy meal looks like. Answering questions like "why are so many vegetables green?", "What's the difference between brown bread and white bread?", and "Why do beans make you gassy?", cheerful haiku poems and a simple Q&A format make this book a nutritious treat. Poetry

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 8

Mattick, Lindsay Finding Winnie In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war. Here is the remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. Picture Book

McCarthy, Meghan Astronaut Handbook Blast off to astronaut school where you will take a ride on the “Vomit Comet,” learn how it feels to be weightless, and have your measurements taken for your very own space suit. Nonfiction

McCully, Emily Mirette on the High Wire Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a celebrated artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear. Picture Book

McDermott, Gerald Coyote There are several trickster tales by Gerald McDermott, including Raven and Zomo. In this one, Coyote tricks crows into helping him fly. Folk Tale

McKay, Hilary Lulu and the Dog from the Sea Seven-year-old Lulu and her cousin think their vacation house is the most perfect place ever until they find a trouble-prone, stray dog living on the beach. Fiction

McLimans, David Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet Endangered animals appear as unique letters in this bold book, and you’ll also read about the habitats of these rare creatures. Illustrations won a 2007 Caldecott Honor medal. Nonfiction

Meister, Cari Beauty and the Beast Stories Around the Work: 3 Beloved Tales Think there's just one fairy tale with a beautiful girl and a monster? Think again! Cultures all around the world have their own Beauty and the Beast stories. Visit France, China, and Switzerland, and find out who asks for a grape instead of a rose, and whose beast is a snake. Folk Tale

Milway, Kate One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference Based on a true incident, this story tells of a poor Ghanaian boy who buys a chicken through a community loan program -- an act which eventually helps lift him, his mother, and his community out of poverty. Fiction

O’Connor, Jane Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth Displaying their best work at school in preparation for Parents' Day, Nancy and Bree, are on the case when a prized possession goes missing. Read more in the Fancy Nancy series. Fiction

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 9

O’Neal, Shaquille Little Shaq Seven-year-old Shaquille O'Neal, a talented basketball and video game player, learns to share the spotlight with his cousin Barry when the youngsters work together to earn money by watering plants. (From the Little Shaq series) Fiction

Osborne, Mary Pope A Perfect Time for Pandas Jack and Annie are magically transported to a panda reserve in the mountains of China in search of a special food to break the spell on wizard Merlin’s beloved penguin. They arrive just in time for the big earthquake. Fiction

Palantini, Margie Bad Boys Wolf brothers Willie and Wally disguise themselves as two of Bo Peep’s lost sheep and hide out with the flock. Enjoy the puns and the fun! Picture Book

Pennypacker, Sara Clementine Clementine has attitude, individuality and lots of good intentions that don’t always work out the way she hopes. Clementine works through friend problems with Margaret, helps her father chase pigeons from their apartment building and invents the first pair of bologna glasses. Fiction

Potter, Alicia Mrs. Harkness and the Panda Ruth Harkness became the first woman adventurer, traveling up the Yangtze River and into the Chinese wilderness to find and bring home a panda cub, which she named Su Lin, meaning "a little bit of something cute." Nonfiction

Prelutsky, Jack My Dog May Be a Genius Prelutsky, the nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate, teamed with illustrator James Stevenson to bring readers an irresistible collection of poems that will have tongues twisting, imaginations soaring, and sides aching with laughter. Poetry

Ringgold, Faith Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky Cassie’s little brother accidentally boards the commemorative train in the sky. She must rely on her wits, the North Star, and Harriet Tubman’s lead to guide her to Canada and their reunion. Picture Book Russell-Brown, Kathryn Little Melba and Her Big Trombone A biography of African American musician Melba Doretta Liston, a virtuoso musician who played the trombone and composed and arranged music for many of the great jazz musicians of the twentieth century. Includes afterword, discography, and sources. Biography

Ruurs, Margriet My Librarian is a Camel : How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World Ms. Ruurs shows the many ways that librarians deliver books to children who live in remote areas, including by boat, bus, train, bicycle, camel, elephant, donkey, and more. Nonfiction

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 10

Rylant, Cynthia High Rise Private Eyes: Case of the Fidgety Fox When the fluffy dice of Melvin the bus driver turn up missing, Bunny and Jack, two animal detectives, investigate the case. Fiction Salley, Colleen Epossumondas Epossumondas always follows his mother’s instructions—sometimes too closely! Find out how he ends up with a cake in crumbs, a soaking wet puppy, and a scruffy wad of bread. Folk Tale Seuss, Dr. The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories Enjoy seven rhyming stories and meet Gustav the Goldfish, the Zinniga-Zinniga, Tadd and Todd, a feisty feline who uses the bippolo seed to trick a duck, and the Great Henry McBride. Fiction

Sharmat, Marjorie Nate the Great on the Owl Express While traveling on the train to San Francisco with his cousin Olivia's owl, Nate the Great and his dog Sludge must use all of their detective skills when the owl suddenly disappears. Read more in the Nate the Great series. Fiction

Shulevitz, Uri How I Learned Geography A young boy escapes the hunger and misery of life as a Polish refugee during World War II by studying his father’s world map. The story is based on the author's childhood in Kazakhstan. Picture Book

Smith, Alexander T. Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set on the African plains, Little Red realizes what the Very Hungry Lion is up to, and teaches him a lesson before generously sharing her donuts with him. Picture Book

Spires, Ashley Binky the Space Cat Binky's blast-off into outer space (outside) to battle aliens (bugs) is delayed when he realizes he's left something behind--and it's not the anti-gravity kitty litter. Graphic Novel

Stanley, Diane Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer A fascinating look at Ada Lovelace, the pioneering computer programmer and the daughter of the poet Lord Byron. Biography

Stein, David Ezra Interrupting Chicken Little Red Chicken wants Papa to read her a bedtime story. Every time he starts reading, she interrupts him! Picture Book

Sternberg, Julie Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie When Eleanor's babysitter Bibi moves to Florida, Eleanor is sad. Natalie, the new babysitter, helps her adjust by doing things, like writing to Bibi and learning photography. Fiction

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 11

Stone, Tanya Lee Who Says Women Can’t be Doctors An introduction to the life and achievements of the first American female doctor describes the limited career prospects available to women in the early nineteenth-century, the opposition Blackwell faced while pursuing a medical education, and her pioneering medical career that opened doors for future generations of women. Biography

Tent, Tererai The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can: A True Story This is the story of a little girl with big dreams. All the girl ever wanted was an education. But in Rhodesia, education for girls was nearly impossible. So she taught herself to read and write with her brother's schoolbooks and to count while watching cattle graze. When the girl became a young wife and mother, she wrote her goals on a scrap of paper and buried them in a can-an ancient ritual that reminded her that she couldn't give up on her dreams. Nonfiction Thomson, Melissa Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-up Keena accidentally leaves her journal in Tiffany's apartment. Will Tiffany reveal all of her secrets? Fiction

Turk, Evan The Storyteller In a time of drought in the Kingdom of Morocco, a storyteller and a boy weave a tale to thwart a Djinn and his sandstorm from destroying their city. Folk Tale

Van Allsburg, Chris Jumanji On their own for an afternoon, two bored and restless children find more excitement than they bargained for in a jungle adventure board game. Fiction Weatherford, Carole Boston Freedom in Congo Square Chronicles slaves' duties each day, from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday, and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square. Picture Book Weatherford, Carole Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery but, like Moses, led others to freedom at the risk of her own life. Illustrator Kadir Nelson won a Caldecott Honor medal for his inspirational paintings. Biography

Willems, Mo and DiTerlizzi, Tony The Story of Diva and Flea In the bustling city of Paris, a small yet brave dog, Diva, and an adventurous cat named Flea become two unlikely friends. Fiction

Winter, Jeannette Follow the Drinking Gourd By following the directions in a song taught them by Peg Leg Joe, runaway slaves journeyed north to freedom in Canada. Picture Book

2017-2018 Grade 2

Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program 12

The mission of the Shaker City Schools Library Media Program is to ensure that all students and staff are effective users of information and ideas.

Strong reading skills are the key to student achievement and lifelong learning. This reading list is intended as an aid in choosing books to provide rich reading experiences for students. Professional school librarians work with their students—your children— to build strong skills in locating,

accessing and analyzing information. This begins with the retelling of stories in the earliest grades, through the teaching of sophisticated web evaluation strategies for older students. These critical thinking skills will serve students well throughout their school career and beyond. Our goal is to help all children make good selections and learn to judge the quality and intent of information in all formats.

Our libraries also provide online resources for students and families to use, accessible from any Internet connection. You can find them on http://www.shaker.org/library.aspx, or by going to your school building and clicking the library link there. Use the “Information /Databases” link to see the online materials we have for school and home use. You can get the access codes needed from your school library staff. We encourage you to use the Shaker Heights Public Library to bring a multitude of good books and reading experiences to your children. They can suggest other great books for you to enjoy, as well as provide events like story hours and their summer reading program. Their kids’ page can be found at http://shakerlibrary.org/kids/.

Elementary Websites

If you are looking for more information about good reading for your child, you can also check the following websites. Reading Rockets http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents/ provides a wide variety of materials about books for children and developing reading skills. Carol Hurst, author and educator, provides a children’s literature website, organized by topics. The “Featured Books” link wi ll take you to long descriptions of her recommended books. The address is http://www.carolhurst.com/

For more information about the Shaker Heights Schools Library Media Program, call (216) 295-4181.